Budlong finishes big scoring weekend for Albion

ALBION, Mich. – The Albion College men's soccer team tacked on four more goals Saturday as it completed the opening weekend of the season with a 2-0 record after dispatching the College of Mount Saint Joseph, 4-0, at Alumni Field.

The Britons, who scored 14 goals in 19 contests last season, scored eight times in the first two matches of the 2013 campaign.

"I knew we were a different team during the preseason, but I didn't know how different until we started to face competition this weekend," Albion Coach Jerry Block said. "We have guys who love to go forward. There is a unity among the players that will keep us in a lot of matches this year."

First-year midfielder Bobby Budlong was involved in Albion's first three scoring plays. He produced two goals and dished out the assist on Evan Schweizer's first collegiate goal.

"I knew Bobby was a special kid when I started recruiting him," Block said. "He brings a positive spirit to our team."

Steven Lockhart collected his first career goal when his blast from at least 30 yards away from the goal sailed in the net.

Mount Saint Joseph was credited with two shots in the contest and neither was placed on goal as Albion goalkeeper Andrew Bobowski gained his first career shutout.

Despite the 2-0 start, Block said the Britons will return to work after the Labor Day holiday. The team will play non-league matches at North Central (Ill.) and Carroll (Wis.) Sept. 6-7 and at Ohio Northern Sept. 13. Albion's first Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association contest is a Sept. 17 home date with Olivet.

"Winning can paper over cracks," Block said. "The cracks aren't huge, but we want to be ready for the start of league play."